African American Cemeteries Forum

Hi Pamela. If you have a location that would be extremely helpful. I do have some pictures that we take as we look. Over time many headstones have broken and many are too faded to read, but vandalism and lack of care over time is the hugest problem. We have been looking for Tamblyn's relatives on 4 occasions and no luck yet. The leaves are making it extremely difficult right now. But if you have an area that would definitely help. It's very emotional there. Some are under shrubs and overgrowth and it is in such disarray in some parts. Many are marked by a metal stake with no name. It's in a rough part and has been a place of severe crimes last year alone. We have had a lot of rain and cold the past few months. I can email you some pictures to help you understand why it takes so long to look. Many cemeteries in Memphis have been disturbed. Elmwood is also a historic cemetery here and listed as a "most haunted", so they have a gift shop and Halloween parties with tours and stories. Very disrespectful. But vandalism is a huge problem here in all cemeteries and MT CARMEL has no fence..only an iron gate.